Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine November Issue 2018 | Page 23

EXPORTER PERSPECTIVE
CSR is the way forward for
Shin Shin to attain business
sustainability and growth
W
hat is Corporate Social
Responsibility? Depending
on the organisation, sector or even
the country, the connotations of
CSR take different dimensions.
Over the years, if the very
definition and principles of CSR
have undergone massive changes,
growing from a narrow and often
marginalised notion into a complex
and multifaceted concept, so has
the readymade garment industry of
Bangladesh from its humble days of
the early ’70s to becoming the second
biggest garment exporter globally.
Today, the business challenges of
adapting effectively to the changing
equations amidst increased focus on
ethical sourcing and environmental
preservation have led garment
manufacturers to attach more
importance to CSR.
the path of successful business
conglomerates like that of TATA
in India.
“We are also
working with
people with
Disabilities, which
we call the PWD.
Though it’s a CSR
activity, but at the
end of the day, it
translates into
business...”
– Mohammad Sohel Sadat
As per the company’s CSR policy, its
social sustainability philosophy is
based more on social intent rather
than economic focus considering
the fact that its core operations do
not market products or services in
Bangladesh. There is a decentralised
framework, where control of CSR
activities is given to the Divisions/
Strategic Business Units, with an
overarching focus on education,
health, sports and environment
to uplift the living standards and
create positive changes. Assisting
the communities and empowering its
employees have always been part of
In this changing milieu, the business
implications of CSR have become
very important, as a result of which
more and more entities have now
started contributing towards social
and environmental objectives by
integrating CSR as a strategic
investment into their business,
management and operations.
Bangladesh’s Shin Shin Group is
one amongst the rising number of
businesses that has strategised its
business practices keeping up with
the principles of CSR. “Our slogan is
‘Together We Grow’, and keeping up
with the same, we want to take along
everyone with us to not only ensure
business prosperity but also growth
and development of the society at
large…,” maintained Mohammad
Sohel Sadat, Chairman of Shin
Shin Group speaking to Apparel
Online, whose ultimate aim is to
leverage various aspects of CSR and
business best practices to evolve
Shin Shin into a self-sustaining
and self-dependent entity, following
Shin Shin’s corporate culture, which
it feels are the key towards building a
more sustainable industry.
Remaining true to its motto of taking
everyone along, Shin Shin has
invested substantially in various CSR
activities including scholarships for
students, free medical assistance for
workers and above all in gainfully
employing the differently-abled.
“We are also working with people
with Disabilities or also what we call
the PWD. Though it’s a CSR activity,
but at the end of the day, it translates
into business as we are employing
these differently-abled people in our
manufacturing units to make them
financially independent while also
adding value to our business. And
you’d be surprised to know that in
many cases, we have seen that despite
being physically-challenged, these
people are more sincere and
efficient than the regular workers,”
explained Sadat with a sense of pride
and contentment.
The company also bears the medical
expense of workers in case of any
accidents while in case of long-term
disability that may render a worker
bedridden for more than three
months, Shin Shin ensures full
salary to the affected.
Shin Shin’s approach towards CSR
in many ways is a classic example of
dispensing one’s social, environmental
and corporate responsibility, which
effectively translates into sustainable
business in the long run.
“The essence of CSR, however, is
business profitability which also
ensures well-being of people in the
surrounding community, employee
welfare and benefits within the
organisation, as well as that of the
environment,” emphasised AKM
Ahsanul Hoque, Director-Research
and Training of CSR Bangladesh
speaking earlier to Apparel Online.
Mohammad Sohel Sadat, Chairman of Shin Shin Group (L) with the senior management of the company
Shin Shin Group boasts of four
manufacturing units, employing
around 8,000 workers and annual
turnover between US $ 80-90 million
to manufacture woven bottoms, skirt,
dresses, shorts, infantwear, school
uniforms, etc., to cater successfully
to a wide range of global brands and
retailers including names like H&M
and Primark.
www.apparelresources.com | November 2018 | Apparel Online Bangladesh
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